Advancing Equity in Housing: Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act
Overview
The LISC Institute held a conversation with Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) and Community Opportunity to Purchase (COPA) advocates in Washington, DC and New York City. During the session, panelists from DC share lessons learned from decades of successful TOPA implementation, describe the robust ecosystem and resources needed to support transitions to community and tenant ownership, and share how the tool is being used to increase ownership opportunities for DC's legacy residents in Black and Brown neighborhoods. New York City panelists highlight current organizing efforts to pass COPA at the city level and TOPA at the state level, and discuss how they are shaping the policy discussion in order to stabilize communities through permanent affordability, community wealth building and resident empowerment.
Anyone interested in learning more about existing TOPA and COPA policies and proposals, including how they can advance equity in housing and stabilize communities, should view this recording.
View recording
Moderator
- Julia Duranti-Martinez, Program Officer for Capacity and Research, LISC
Speakers
- Akilah Browne, Skadden Legal Fellow, New Economy Project
- Sara Feierstein, Senior Program Officer, LISC
- Edward Garcia, Director of Community Development, Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition
- Michelle Harati, Policy Officer, LISC
- Celeste Hornbach, Housing and Policy Director, Mutual Housing Association of New York
- Tania Jackson, Chief of Staff, Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau, DC City Council
- Ramon Jacobson, Executive Director, LISC DC
- Fernando Lemos, Executive Director, Mi Casa
Additional reading
- MarketWatch profile of a TOPA building
- Community Service Society report,
Corporate Windfalls of Social Conversions? The Looming Mortgage Crisis and the Choices Facing New York - Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition and Bronx CLT report,
Fighting Forward - How the 1400 Aspen St Tenants Association Fought to Keep their Community Affordable
A report from the LISC Research and Evaluation and LISC Policy teams investigates the local and state policies that help (or hinder) communities working to advance economic mobility and racial equity.